Transport for London: Uber and London’s private hire trade need new regulations October 20, 2015 On Friday, the High Court declared that smartphones used by some private hire drivers were not taximeters. This confirmed the view that Transport for London (TfL) has held all along. It was right to seek clarity on the matter at the High Court because, as the regulator of the taxi and private hire trades, we [...]
London’s digital economy could be worth £48.5bn – Oxford Economics and Virgin Media Business October 20, 2015 London’s businesses could be set to gain £48.5bn over the next two years if they fully harness the digital technologies available. Research from Oxford Economics and Virgin Media Business, seen exclusively by City A.M., shows that by going digital, London’s companies could increase their collective revenue by 3.6 per cent, and create around 171,000 jobs over [...]
Uber’s UK sales are soaring after winning a legal battle in the High Court against black cab drivers October 18, 2015 It seems court battles aren’t standing in the way of Uber’s growth. After Uber’s landmark victory over black cab drivers on Friday, there’s more good news for the ride-hailing app: UK sales are up tenfold in the past year. British turnover soared to £11.3m last year, according to data from Companies House. The app’s accelerating [...]
From Uber and the Night Tube to Megabrew and Amazon Fresh: Here’s what got us talking this week October 16, 2015 It was a week in which an eagle gave us a glimpse of its view of London. We learned how much fare dodgers are getting away with (and where are the stations giving them a free ride). And we discovered that, while spiralising is in, sexy pants are definitely out. Here's what got us talking this week [...]
Bad news, Black Cabs: Taxi app Uber isn’t breaking the law, rules High Court October 16, 2015 Uber lovers can breathe a sigh of relief this morning, after the High Court ruled that the ride-hailing app isn’t breaking the law. Uber welcomed today's ruling as "great news" for Londoners and a "victory for common sense". It marks the latest stage in a drawn-out battle between Uber and rival black cab drivers, which had [...]
Taxis at dawn: Uber and Transport for London taximeter High Court ruling due Friday morning October 16, 2015 The fate of Uber in London will be known this morning, when the courts finally decide if the app is legal or not in a long-running and bitter battle with rival black cab drivers. A High Court judge will hand down a ruling on whether the app is considered a taximeter – a device which is only allowed to [...]
London Mayor Boris Johnson on Uber: “The toothpaste is out of the tube” October 15, 2015 London Mayor Boris Johnson has said disruption from tech companies such as Uber is inevitable, and the best cities can do is "create a level playing field" for established trades such as black cabs. Speaking in Tokyo, at a UK embassy event promoting startups, he said: "Once the toothpaste is out of the tube, that's [...]
Agility is key for finance SMEs: Government policy plays a significant role in setting up small firms for success – ACCA Comment October 14, 2015 When Napoleon first called Britain a nation of shopkeepers, he almost certainly didn’t mean it as a compliment. Nevertheless, in typically British fashion, we took that insult and turned it into something to be proud of. It’s a mark of our enduring entrepreneurial spirit in business. These days, the love of the enterprising small [...]
Business secretary Sajid Javid sides with Uber in Transport for London crackdown October 14, 2015 Business secretary Sajid Javid has stepped into the debate over private hire cars in the capital, refusing to rule out intervening in Transport for London’s proposals to regulate Uber and other services. Testifying before the business select committee today, Javid said TfL’s proposals were “heavy handed” and not in the interest of consumers. “TfL is [...]
Quick! Free black cab journeys from Victoria Station, Charing Cross Station and Waterloo Station today – but only for one hour October 14, 2015 Black cabbies are on a PR drive, with free black cab rides from Victoria Station, Charing Cross Station and Waterloo Station. There's only one catch: it's between 11am and midday today. Meanwhile, taxi app Gett will offer free journeys in Zone One. The free rides – which were announced at 11am – are part of the #StayFareMayor campaign, which [...]